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BREAKING
Union says Tory accusations inspired train strike targeting conference
Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray ‘wrestled out’ of Tory conference
Northern leader hits out at PM’s ‘lies’ over rail projects and HS2
John Lewis boss Dame Sharon White to step down
Covid-19 vaccine scientists win Nobel prize for medicine
Second 'wonky' pub near Crooked House torched in suspected arson

News

Residents, joined by MSPs and councillors, stage a protest against the previous application for student housing at Eyre Place - they say little has changed in the latest plans. Picture: Greg Macvean

Residents fighting student flats hope for hearing

The first of Edinburgh-based photographer Euan Myles' five photos of the overflowing bins in Edinburgh during the binmen's strike in August 22, which won him gold in the Environment category at the The Association of Photographers' 38th Photography Awards (first launched in 1984).

Photos of city's overflowing bins win gold at awards

Tattie Shaws owner, James Welby, said his grocery shop could close in a matter of weeks if a buyer is found quickly. The shop at 35 Elm Row was put on the market last week

End of an era as popular business Tattie Shaws announces shock closure

A rare albino squirrel has been spotted scampering around in Gullane, East Lothian. Photos: Dominic Kelly

Local man captures footage of rare albino squirrel

It must have been "bracing" for the swimmers who took the plunge at Portobello at the weekend to mark the book launch - and some of them came kitted out in hats and gloves.

Wild swimmers take dip for book launch - pictures

George Thomson, 71, began abusing the two children when they were both just seven-years-old at his former home in Musselburgh, East Lothian.

Pensioner who sexually abused girls while his wife was in next room is jailed

Edinburgh barber Peter Healy was named as the best in Scotland at a glittering awards ceremony.

Edinburgh barber named best in Scotland

Scottish rugby legend Kenny Logan (on bike) and Ally McCoist (right) prepare to set off from Murrayfield with a team of celebrities on a 700 mile endurance challenge from Edinburgh to Paris to raise money for the charity set up by the late Doddie Weir.

Celebrities set off on 700-mile endurance challenge

Peak fares on ScotRail trains have been suspended for six months from Monday, October 2, in a bid to woo more people to rail travel. Picture: Colin Hattersley.

Trains expected to be busier as peak fares suspended

Edinburgh Festivals

The new National Theatre of Scotland production Dracula: Mina's Reckoning is at His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen until 9 September and will then tour around Scotland until 14 October. Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic

Theatre, dance and opera companies warn over ‘wilful demise’ of culture sector
Arts organisations tells MSPs they are at ‘breaking point’

Actor Ewen Bremner.

Brian Cox, Ewen Bremner and Jack Lowden back new campaign to revive Filmhouse

An image from the Scottish coming-of-age romantic comedy film Gregory’s Girl was projected onto the Filmhouse building after its closure last October. Picture: Jane Barlow

Fundraising campaign underway to revamp and reopen Edinburgh’s Filmhouse cinema

The Filmhouse could reopen next year

Filmhouse revival looks much more likely and realistic – Brian Ferguson

Some of the acts appearing at the first Leith Comedy Festival next month. Clockwise from top left: Joe McTernan, Jamie MacDonald, Billy Kirkwood, Marjolein Robertson, Fiona Herbert, Rosalind Romer, Liam Withnail and Giulia Galastro.

Brand new Leith Comedy Festival coming soon

Traffic and Travel

Edinburgh's Low Emission Zone is due to come into force on June 1, 2024. Vehicles which fail to meet emission standards will not be allowed to enter the 1.2 square mile area of the city centre bounded by Queen Street in the New Town, Melville Drive on the other side of the Meadows, Palmerston Place at the west end Abbeyhill in the east. As a rough guide, the ban affects petrol vehicles registered before 2006 and diesel ones registered before September 2015 - but it does depend on the make and model, so it's worth typing your registration number into the vehicle checker at www.lowemissionzones.scot/vehicle-registration-checker. HGVs, buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles which do not meet Euro 6 emission standards will also be banned. Motorcycles and mopeds are not affected. Fines for banned vehicles entering the zone are set at £60, but that is halved if the fine is paid within 30 days. However, repeat offences see the penalty double each time, up to a maximum of £480 for cars and vans and £960 for HGVs. Glasgow's LEZ, which has already come into effect, is being challenged in the courts and any ruling on that could affect whether or how Edinburgh's scheme is implemented.

17 transport projects coming down the track

Lord Provost Robert Aldridge’s luxury civic cars are often seen waiting to pick him up for engagements outside the City Chambers.

Lord Provost's cars could be banned from the City Chambers

The woman was involved in a collision with a cyclist earlier this week at Horse Wynd, outside the Scottish Parliament.

Woman, 66, dies in hospital after being hit by bike outside Scottish Parliament

The number 21 Lothian bus had a window smashed by youths at Niddrie Mains Road on Thursday afternoon.

Gang of teenagers 'stood and laughed' after smashing bus window

E-bike companies Lime and Dott have both expressed interest in running a cycle hire scheme for Edinburgh.

Cycle hire scheme could be reborn

Preparations for Edinburgh's Low Emission Zone will see warning signs going up in October and enforcement cameras installed later this year and early in 2024.

LEZ signs and cameras coming soon - but support falling

Crime

Stock photo of a mattress and couch placed outside by the curb on garbage day in Midlothian.

Council and fire service to collect flammable items ahead of bonfire night

The man appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Man appears in court in connection with firearm offence and vehicle thefts

Police say business premises in High Street, Tranent, were broke into and a sum of money taken. Picture: Google.

Thieves steal money in business premises break-in

Police were called to reports of a disturbance in Oxgangs and later charged a 15-year-old boy.

15-year-old boy charged over knife incident

Police say the disturbance took place in Winton Place, Tranent, on the evening of Monday, September 25.

Police appeal for witnesses to Tranent disturbance

Police issued this image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries into the incident on an X55 bus from Dunfermline to Edinburgh on October 12, 2022.

Police appeal over year-old incident

Weather

Edinburgh is set to be battered by high winds and rain as Storm Agnes hits.

When Storm Agnes will hit as city braced for high winds and rain

Heavy Rain to hit Edinburgh Photo: Lisa Ferguson

Heavy rain to hit as weather warning issued

Business

Poor ventilation in homes is causing worrying health implications for Edinburgh residents. Photo: Getty.

Residents suffering illnesses due to poor home quality

Four times winner of the Queen’s Award for Export achievement, Walker's exports its famous bakery products to some 100 countries.

Scotland's most famous shortbread brand feels pinch despite sales surging

The Scottish cohort selected for Lisbon attended a launch at sponsor Johnston Carmichael in Edinburgh, alongside Foras co-founders Dec McLaughlin, Caro Melendez, and Nick Murray. Picture: contributed.

Delegation of 48 Scots selected for entrepreneurship-focused visit to Lisbon

Politics

Caitlin Boddy from Balerno Children’s Gala Committee. Image: City of Edinburgh Council.

Gala days under threat due to sky-high bouncy castle fees

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer campaigning in Rutherglen - the result of the by-election.could help influence whether he gets to Number Ten. Picture: Andy Buchanan/PA Wire

Rutherglen by-election result will set mood for general election

Former Edinburgh councillor Alison Dickie has joined with ex-Labour councillor Bill Cook and whistleblower Christine Scott to petition MSPs. Picture: Alistair Linford.

MSPs urged to act on child abuse

A survey found that almost two-thirds of MSPs wanted to have more freedom to vote with their conscience. Picture: Scott Louden.

Most MSPs want more freedom to vote with conscience

UK Trending

Premium Bonds winners are announced every month (image: AFP/Getty Images)

NS&I Premium Bonds October 2023: When is the draw?

The protest was one of more than 30 events taking place in Britain – plus two in Spain – on what was dubbed a “Day for Rejoin”. Pictured here is Steve Bray.

Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray ‘wrestled out’ of Tory conference

Rishi Sunak has refused to say whether he's axing the HS2 route from Birmingham to Manchester. Credit: Mark Hall/Getty

Northern leader hits out at PM’s ‘lies’ over rail projects and HS2

Sharon White poses with her award after she was made a Dame CBE, for public service, next to her husband Sir Robert Chote (Photo by Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

John Lewis boss Dame Sharon White to step down

Two scientists credited with making major breakthroughs in the development of mRNA vaccine to fight Covid-19 have won the 2023 Nobel Prize for medicine. (Credit: Getty Images)

Covid-19 vaccine scientists win Nobel prize for medicine

Playing with dolls can aid children with their social development

Environment

While we know second hand is a great option, there’s also plenty that can be done when you buy new clothes to help the environment too. Photo: Adobe

Going Green: Being fashionable as well as sustainable

The strategic plan for Holyrood Park published by Historic Environment Scotland says steps will be taken 'to very substantially reduce, or remove all, vehicular through traffic from the park'. Picture: Ian Georgeson.

Traffic ban in park 'could increase congestion'

People

The Capital will be shaken and stirred once again with the return of Edinburgh Cocktail Week – a city-wide celebration of cocktail culture which allows you to enjoy countless delicious concoctions at fraction of their usual price.

All you need to know about Edinburgh Cocktail Week
A total of 100 of the city’s hottest hangouts are taking part in Edinburgh Cocktail Week 2023

Maggie’s Edinburgh Centre fundraising manager Samantha Lea with NFT artist Trevor Jones.

Cancer charity receives 'absolutely mind-blowing' £114,000 donation

The venue is being dismantled

Festival Village bar being dismantled after owners threatened with fine

The White Horse transformed into an Oyster Bar in 2017

Famous bar located on the Royal Mile sold for more than £1.2 million

The Dome at George Street is not only perhaps the best looking Christmas venue but it also smells like Christmas thanks to cinnamon and other festive smells throughout the Georgian building. The venue's famous festive décor sparkles once again from October 30, 2023 until January 7, 2024. Due to unprecedented demand this festive season the maximum table size is 8 in the Grill Room, 5 in the Club Room and 10 in the Georgian Tea Room. Sorry, you cannot book multiple tables. COVID19, CORONA VIRUS - General Manager Steve Hall of The Dome, Edinburgh shows us theis years Christmas decorations. They hoping restrictions are eased soon and can re-open hopefully soon and before CHristmas

11 of the best Christmas party venues - in pictures

Education

Rank within Edinburgh: 1. Rank within Scotland: 9. % pupils passing 5 or more Highers: 70%.

Edinburgh high schools ranked best to worst

Julia Grindley addressed councillors in the City Chambers. Image: City of Edinburgh Council.

Schoolchildren absent due to uniform 'shame'

Thinking about a post-graduate course in a profession that can really make a difference to people’s lives? Picture – supplied.

Ad Feature Learn how to be an OT or a physio at Edinburgh Napier

School support workers, who are members of Unison, on the picket line at Royal Mile Primary School in Edinburgh. Jane Barlow/PA Wire

In pictures: Strike brings picket lines to city schools

Strikes in 24 of Scotland’s local authorities are set to go ahead this week after councils and a trade union failed to reach an agreement over the weekend.

Edinburgh schools to shut for three days this week

Pentland Primary School

A look at past Primary 7 class photos to take you back to school days

Health

Sheena Skinner portrait Pic: JJ Keith Photography

Spa Spy: Detox Health Beauty event comes to Edinburgh's One Spa

The UK's first drug consumption room in Glasgow has been given approval. (Credit: Getty Images)

UK's first drug consumption room gets approval to open in Glasgow

The cuts to be considered could include the closure of care homes. Picture: Donald MacLeod

‘Dread and fear’ over further care cuts

Craig and Debbie Stephens from Portobello have appeared on many television shows in the past and often go by their stage names 'Z' and 'Saffire'.

Couple to appear on Channel 5 TV series

Opinion

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, Lorna Slater

Removal of peak train fare is a ticket to greener railways - Lorna Slater

​Driving transport improvements - Angus Robertson

​Setting the record straight - Angus Robertson

Liz McAreavey, CEO at Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce

City needs holistic plan to ensure promising future - Liz McAreavey

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Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal is Local Area Commander, North East Edinburgh

​Let’s ‘crackle’ down on firework safety - Kieran Dougal

Marks & Spencer has issued an urgent warning on one of its bestselling meal deal products, urging customers to check for affected packs. Photo: M&S

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